12. The New West and the Free North, 1840

Quiz for Making Historical Arguments: Why Was the Gold Rush So Deadly for California’s Indians?

Choose the best answer to each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

1. Which of the following correctly describes many miners’ opinions of California Indians?

They believed them to be the best gold miners.

They saw the Indians as racially inferior.

They thought the Indians were too violent.

They argued that the Indians needed to convert to Christianity.

2. How did the gold rush impact the natural environment of California?

State officials quickly began regulating mining to prevent any damage to the natural environment.

It had little impact because the environment was already very damaged before the gold rush.

It left most of the wilderness pristine and untouched.

The miners ruined much of the land and polluted the water.

3. What sorts of strategies did Indians use to attempt to survive the gold rush?

Selling traditional Indian goods to the miners

Working in gold rush country

Immigrating to new countries

Making appeals to the federal government for help

4. In what ways did the government exacerbate the problems faced by California Indians?

It sent troops to round up all the Indians.

It forced Indians off certain reservations.

It explicitly or tacitly endorsed the indenture and kidnapping of Indians by whites.

It stole goods and housing from the Indians for the white miners.

5. What role did the destruction of traditional culture play in the sharp decrease in the Indian population?

It caused many Indians to flee to other states.

It disrupted family life and reproductive patterns.

It forced many Indians to intermarry with the white miners.

It destroyed the Indians’ traditional religious beliefs and demoralized the Indian people.